Love and Sacrifice in Literature
The concepts of love and sacrifice are closely related and feature consistently throughout literature. To study the relationship between these ideas in more depth I have selected a range of texts over an extensive time period, these include Romeo and Juliet by Sir William Shakespeare, Titanic by James Cameron, Saint Joan by Bernard Shaw and Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. The different eras that these texts explore will be instrumental in establishing the type of connection the two concepts hold in literature. The type of love and sacrifice varies however the underlying message is the same right through the texts, that humans in the right context will make sacrifices for love. How this is portrayed in the texts also differs yet many techniques such as the relatable characters and symbolism appears in all.
The context in which sacrifice for love transpires
As shown in Titanic the context that a relationship is formed has a great impact on the relationship itself and when the conditions are not favourable the results can be tragic. James Cameron presents the idea of an unlikely love of two born from opposing ends of the patriarchal spectrum. They are thrown together on board The Titanic, the ship acting as a microcosm of the societal hierarchy existing in Britain at the time. This ship defines the classes using the third class and first areas of the ship to highlight the divide. Furthermore the other people in the character’s lives can have a great influence over their relationship. An abusive fiancée and selfish mother bind Rose, making a union with Jack all the more impossible. Obviously disapproving of Jack her fiancée questions her, “Where are you going? To him? To be a whore to a gutter rat?” This is a moment in which we see her sacrificing her previous life for her new found love as Rose replies, “I'd rather be his whore than your wife.” A similar forbidden love by family is evident in Romeo and Juliet with the lovers being born of rival blood.
The context in which sacrifice for love transpires
As shown in Titanic the context that a relationship is formed has a great impact on the relationship itself and when the conditions are not favourable the results can be tragic. James Cameron presents the idea of an unlikely love of two born from opposing ends of the patriarchal spectrum. They are thrown together on board The Titanic, the ship acting as a microcosm of the societal hierarchy existing in Britain at the time. This ship defines the classes using the third class and first areas of the ship to highlight the divide. Furthermore the other people in the character’s lives can have a great influence over their relationship. An abusive fiancée and selfish mother bind Rose, making a union with Jack all the more impossible. Obviously disapproving of Jack her fiancée questions her, “Where are you going? To him? To be a whore to a gutter rat?” This is a moment in which we see her sacrificing her previous life for her new found love as Rose replies, “I'd rather be his whore than your wife.” A similar forbidden love by family is evident in Romeo and Juliet with the lovers being born of rival blood.
Bibliography: Cameron, James. (1997) Titanic. Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox Guterson, David. (1995) Snow Falling on Cedars. Bloomsbury William Shakespeare. (late 1500’s) Romeo and Juliet. – Bernard Shaw. (1924) Saint Joan. Penguin Classics